List of birds of Qatar

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Qatar. The avifauna of Qatar include a total of 352 species, of which 3 have been introduced by humans.

A pair of white-eared bulbuls (Pycnonotus leucotis) observed in the country

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Qatar. Native species are marked with an "N". The global conservation status are displayed per the IUCN for each species alongside the population trend. The Qatar birds list, which has catalogued all verified species recorded in the country serves as the primary source for the list.

Additionally, the book Common birds of Qatar covering 215 of the total 352 species in the country has been used to depict the species' frequency in the country, as well as habitat.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

• (A) Accidental – a species that accidentally occurs in Qatar, and is not a regular migrant nor a resident.
• (R) Rare – a species that is a regular visitor or inhabitant of the country, but in very small or sparse populations. Most species marked as such are threatened.
• (I) Introduced – a species introduced to Qatar as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions. Due to Qatar's harsh and generally resistant environment, none of the introduced species listed are considered invasive in the country.
• (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in Qatar although populations exist elsewhere
• (X) Extinct – a species or subspecies that no longer exists

Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes   Family: Struthionidae

The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

Common name	Trinomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Arabian ostrich	Struthio camelus ssp. syriacus	X	Extinct	N/A	Formerly widespread in the Arabian peninsula
Red-necked ostrich	Struthio camelus ssp. camelus	I	Critically endangered		Found in Ras Abrouq, west coast

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Graylag goose	Anser anser	N	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Greater white-fronted goose	Anser albifrons	A	Least concern	?	Rare winter visitor
Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Egyptian goose	Alopochen aegyptiaca	I	Least concern		Introduced
Ruddy shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	A	Least concern	?	Scarce winter visitor
Common shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	N	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor
Cotton pygmy-goose	Nettapus coromandelianus	A	Least concern		vagrant
Garganey	Spatula querquedula	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	A	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor
Eurasian wigeon	Mareca penelope	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Green-winged teal	Anas crecca	N	Least concern	?	Winter visitor
Marbled teal	Marmaronetta angustirostris	R	Vulnerable		Vagrant recorded in 1985
Red-crested pochard	Netta rufina	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Common pochard	Aythya ferina	R	Vulnerable		Overwintering
Ferruginous duck	Aythya nyroca	N	Near threatened		Scarce resident
Tufted duck	Aythya fuligula	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor in greywater and lagoons
Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis	R	Vulnerable		Vagrant.

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds which resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Vulturine guineafowl	Acryllium vulturinum	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Gray francolin	Francolinus pondicerianus	I	Least concern		Introduced and established; resident
Common quail	Coturnix coturnix	N	Least concern		Passage migrant

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Greater flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus	N	Least concern		Resident breeder
Lesser flamingo	Phoenicopterus minor	A	Near threatened		Vagrant recorded in 2013

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	N	Least concern		Resident
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	N	Least concern	?	Resident
Eared grebe	Podiceps nigricolis	N	Least concern	?	Winter visitor

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Rock dove (and domestic variants)	Columba livia	N	Least concern		Domestic variants common everywhere, wild rock doves may be found near the coast
Stock dove	Columba oenas	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded in 2019
European turtle-dove	Streptopelia turtur	R	Vulnerable		Passage migrant
Oriental turtle dove	Streptopelia decocto	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded in 2022
Eurasian collared-dove	Streptopelia decocto	N	Least concern		Common
African collared-dove	Streptopelia roseogrisea	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Laughing dove	Streptopelia senegalensis	N	Least concern		Common
Namaqua dove	Oena capensis	I	Least concern		Naturally established resident due to its nomadic nature
Zebra dove	Geopelia striata	I	Least concern		Introduced in the northeast; small breeding population

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Pin-tailed sandgrouse	Pterocles alchata	A	Least concern		Localised breeder
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse	Pterocles exustus	A	Least concern		Rare
Crowned sandgrouse	Pterocles coronatus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
MacQueen's bustard	Chlamydotis macqueenii	Ex	Vulnerable		May have been extirpated from the country due to overhunting, records nowadays generally considered captive or escaped

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Great spotted cuckoo	Clamator glandarius	A	Least concern		Rare
Pied cuckoo	Clamator jacobinus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Asian koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Common cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant

Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Egyptian nightjar	Caprimulgus aegyptius	R	Least concern		Rare passage migrant

Swifts

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Alpine swift	Tachymarptis melba	R	Least concern		vagrant with 4 records
Common swift	Apus apus	N	Least concern		Uncommon winter visitor
Pallid swift	Apus pallidus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Little swift	Apus affinis	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Water rail	Rallus aquaticus	R	Least concern		Winter visitor.
Corncrake	Crex crex	R	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana	N	Least concern		uncommon passage migrant
Eurasian moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	N	Least concern		Common
Eurasian coot	Fulica atra	N	Least concern		Resident and winter visitor
African swamphen	Porphyrio madagascarensis	I	Not recognised by the IUCN		Introduced.
Grey-headed swamphen	Porphyrio poliocephalus	N	Not recognised by the IUCN	?	Resident
White-breasted waterhen	Amaurornis phoenicurus	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Little crake	Porzana parva	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Baillon's crake	Zapornia pusilla	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Common crane	Grus grus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian thick-knee	Burhinus oedicnemus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus	N	Least concern		Common
Pied avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	N	Least concern	?	Common in winter

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	N	Near threatened		Passage migrant

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. water.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Frequency	Image
Black-bellied plover	Pluvialis squatarola	N	Least concern		Common, found on coasts and shores
European golden-plover	Pluvialis apricaria	R	Least concern		Vagrant with 5 records
Pacific golden-plover	Pluvialis fulva	N	Least concern		Scarce passage migrant
Northern lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	N	Near threatened		Winter visitor
Spur-winged lapwing	Vanellus spinosus	R	Least concern		Rare passage migrant; breeding in 2023
Red-wattled lapwing	Vanellus indicus	N	Least concern	?	Scarce breeding resident
Sociable lapwing	Vanellus gregarius	R	Critically endangered		Rare localised winter visitor
White-tailed lapwing	Vanellus leucurus	R	Least concern	?	Winter visitor
Tibetan sand plover	Eupoda atrifrons	N	Least concern	?	Common year-round
Greater sand plover	Eupoda leschenaultii	N	Least concern		Common year-round
Caspian plover	Eupoda asiatica	N	Least concern		scarce passage migrant
Kentish plover	Ochthodromus alexandrinus	N	Least concern		Resident breeder
Kittlitz's plover	Ochthodromus pecuarius	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant recorded in 2023
Greater ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Little ringed plover	Thinornis dubius	N	Least concern	?	Breeding, leaves the country in winter
Eurasian dotterel	Eudromias morinellus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Greater painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Frequency	Image
Pheasant-tailed jacana	Hydrophasianus chirurgus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Frequency	Image
Eurasian curlew	Numenius arquata	N	Near threatened		Winter visitor
Whimby	Numenius phaeopus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	N	Near threatened		Winter visitor
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa	N	Near threatened		Passage migrant
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Great knot	Calidris tenuirostris	R	Endangered		vagrant
Ruff	Calidris pugnax	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Broad-billed sandpiper	Calidris falcinellus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	N	Near threatened		Passage migrant
Temminck's stint	Calidris temminckii	N	Least concern	?	winter visitor, he is common on shores and rocky coasts
Sanderling	Calidris alba	N	Least concern	?	winter visitor
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Little stint	Calidris minuta	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Jack snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus	N	Least concern		Scarce passage migrant
Eurasian woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	A	Least concern		unverified vagrant records
Common snipe	Gallinago gallinago	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Pin-tailed snipe	Gallinago stenura	A	Least concern	?	vagrant
Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	N	Least concern		Resident
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	N	Least concern		Scarce passage migrant
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	N	Least concern		Very common throughout winter and late summer.
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	N	Least concern		Relatively common throughout winter and spring
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Common greenshank	Tringa nebularia	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	N	Least concern		Somewhat common winter visitor
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Common redshank	Tringa totanus	N	Least concern	?	Winter visitor

Crab plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Dromadidae

The crab plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Crab-plover	Dromas ardeola	N	Least concern		passage migrant and winter visitor

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Cream-coloured courser	Cursorius cursor	N	Least concern		Scarce resident and common migrant
Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	R	Near threatened		Vagrant
Small pratincole	Glareola lactea	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant.

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Pomarine skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	R	Least concern		rare winter visitor
Arctic skua	Stercorarius parasiticus	N	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Long-tailed jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns and kittiwakes. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Slender-billed gull	Chroicocephalus genei	N	Least concern	?	Abundant winter visitor
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	N	Least concern	?	Common winter visitor
Little gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	N	Least concern		Vagrant
Sooty gull	Ichthyaetus hemprichii	N	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor
Pallas's gull	Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor. Being the largest member of its order in the entire country, it is truly the beast of nations.
Caspian gull	Larus cachinnans	N	Least concern		Very common winter visitor. Several cryptic species and can be nightmarishly difficult do distinguish from other gulls such as L. fuscus and L. armenicus. Range overlapping with other similar gulls makes identification practically impossible
Armenian gull	Larus armenicus	R	Least concern		Vagrant
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	N	Least concern	?	Breeder and passage migrant
Little tern	Sternula albifrons	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Saunders's tern	Sternula saundersi	N	Least concern		Migrant breeder; this small tern is a frequenter of the coasts, especially in the East
Gull-billed tern	Gelocheilodon nilotica	N	Least concern		Winter visitor. It is noted for resembling a seagull, as well as having a short black beak. It frequents the northwest
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	N	Least concern		Uncommon resident. This cosmopolitan bird possesses a black cap and very bright orange beak, a feature that can be recognised from a distance
White-winged tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	N	Least concern		Paddage migrant; this bird is most common in the northern regions. It has distinct plumage, with a repressed grey in autumn and a jet-black body in spring, with the wings clearly divided with their bright white colour
Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybrida	N	Least concern		Common
Common tern	Sterna hirundo	N	Least concern	?	Uncommon passage migrant
White-cheeked tern	Sterna repressa	N	Least concern		Common
Great crested tern	Thalasseus bergii	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Lesser crested-tern	Thalasseus bengalensis	N	Least concern		Common

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Red-billed tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	R	Least concern		Only breeds on Halul Island, absent from the mainland

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Black stork	Ciconia nigra	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant.
White stork	Ciconia ciconia	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Yellow-billed stork	Mycteria ibis	A	Least concern		Vagrant, 1999

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	N	Least concern		Common throughout winter
Socotra cormorant	Phalacrocorax nigrogularis	E	Vulnerable		Endemic to the gulf and offshore Yemen. Breeds on islands like Hawar and Socotra; globally threatened

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Great white pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Great bittern	Botaurus stellaris	R	Least concern		rare winter visitor
Little bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	N	Least concern		passage migrant
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea	N	Least concern	?	Where there is water, and where there is fish, there will be a grey heron. Indeed, it is the most common bird in the country, being found year-round in any aquatic habitat there is. Grey and tall, it is the largest heron in the country. It is easy to see this bird as it stands in the water, looking downwards for a fish or frog to pass by.
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea	N	Least concern		Resident and migrant
Great egret	Egretta alba	N	Least concern	?	Overwintering
Intermediate egret	Egretta intermedia	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Little egret	Egretta garzetta	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Western reef-heron	Egretta gularis	N	Least concern		Uncommon resident, abundant winter visitor
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor
Squacco heron	Ardeola ralloides	N	Least concern	?	passage migrant, this bird also leaves behind a small non-breeding population in summer
Indian pond-heron	Ardeola grayii	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant.
Striated heron	Butroides striata	R	Least concern		This bird is an uncommon resident
Black-crowned night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	N	Least concern		Winter visitor

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	N	Least concern		A common bird in winter and spring, this bird frequents the grey water at several familiar locations. It is a unique bird, covered in black feathers that reflect blue, green, and purple when approached close. The bill of this bird is curved downwards.
African sacred ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eurasian spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	R	Least concern	?	rare migrant

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Frequency	Image
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	N	Least concern		Resident

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Black-winged kite	Elanus caeruleus	R	Least concern		Rare
Eurasian griffon vulture	Gyps fulvus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Egyptian vulture	Neophron percnopterus	R	Endangered		Vagrant
European honey-buzzard	Pernis apivorus	R	Least concern		Rare passage migrant
Oriental honey-buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus	N	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor
Short-toed snake eagle	Circaetus gallicus	N	Least concern		Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
Booted eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Steppe eagle	Aquila nipalensis	R	Endangered		Winter visitor. Differs from other eagles as it has thick "trousers" and is recognisable from a distance due to its mighty wingspan, which can exceed the height of a man
Eastern imperial eagle	Aquila heliaca	R	Vulnerable		Rare passage migrant. A migrating individual in Qatar was killed by poachers in late 2022
Bonelli's eagle	Aquila fasciata	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Greater spotted-eagle	Clanga clanga	N	Vulnerable		Scarce localised winter visitor; heavily persecuted in the country
White-tailed sea eagle	Haliaeetus albicilla	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded once in March 2022
Western marsh-harrier	Circus aeruginosus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Pallid harrier	Circus macrourus	N	Near threatened		Winter visitor
Montagu's harrier	Circus pygargus	N	Least concern		Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
Shikra	Accipiter badius	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Levant sparrowhawk	Accipiter brevipes	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eurasian sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	R	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor
Northern goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Black kite	Milvus migrans	N	Least concern		Scarce winter visitor. Uniform brown colour, may be mistaken for harriers however its soars with the wings outstretched as opposed to being held in a "v" shape
Common buzzard	Buteo buteo	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Long-legged buzzard	Buteo rufinus	A	Least concern		frequent winter visitor

Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Barn owl	Tyto alba	N	Least concern		This bird is a scarce resident in the country

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian scops-owl	Otus scops	N	Least concern		Uncommon passage migrant. Recognised by its large ear tufts, it is rarely seen at day. The plumage mayvary
Pallid scops-owl	Otus brucei	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Pharaoh eagle owl	Bubo ascalaphus	N	Least concern		An uncommon resident, this is the nation's largest. It may be found in the south, roosting in thick bushes or on arid ground
Lilith owlet	Athene noctua	N	Least concern		Resident.
Long-eared owl	Asio otus	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Short-eared owl	Asio flammeus	R	Least concern		rare winter visitor

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian hoopoe	Upupa epops	N	Least concern		Some migration in winter, most abundant in spring, especially April. This bird is unique and unmatched in appearance, and has an almost "legendary" status in the Middle East, often being seen as a symbol of birds in the region

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Common kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	N	Least concern	?	Uncommon migrant
White-throated kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Pied kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	N	Least concern	?	uncommon winter visitor

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Arabian green bee-eater	Merops cyanophrys	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Blue-cheeked bee-eater	Merops persicus	N	Least concern		Much like its European friend, it is observed mostly in spring and to a lesser extent autumn.
European bee-eater	Merops apiaster	N	Least concern		The most common and beautiful bee-eater, it is observed in Qatar during spring and to a lesser extent autumn

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
European roller	Coracias garrulus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Indian roller	Coracias benghalensis	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian wryneck	Jynx torquilla	N	Least concern		Vagrant

Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Lesser kestrel	Falco naumanni	N	Least concern		Found in autumn and more plentifully in spring, the lesser kestrel is a fascinating bird. The females are reddish brown with dark blotches decorating its upper side. Males have slate-blue heads and wingtips, with a rusty mantle and pale, spotted underside
Eurasian kestrel	Falco tinnuculus	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Amur falcon	Falco amurensis	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Sooty falcon	Falco concolor	R	Vulnerable		rare summer visitor
Merlin	Falco columbarius	R	Least concern		rare winter visitor
Eurasian hobby	Falco subbuteo	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus	R	Least concern		Vagrant

Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Alexandrine parakeet	Psittacula eupatoria	I	Near threatened		An introduced species, this bird can be found on the eastern side of the country. It is the largest member of its family, and its pink-black "collar" is a key feature of males. Can be distinguished from the rose-ring by its larger size and red "epaulette" mark
Rose-ringed parakeet	Psittacula krameri	I	Least concern		This introduced species is found in most urban environments, the capital Doha and Dukhan. Only males possess the characteristic "rose ring". Sightings of this bird are often preceded by a very loud screaming – in flight they are recognised by their cries and tail, which may be as long as the bird itself.

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian golden oriole	Oriolus oriolus	N	Least concern		Late spring visitor

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Red-backed shrike	Lanius collurio	N	Least concern		Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Recognised for its rusty upper wings. Females lack the "mask"
Red-tailed shrike	Lanius phoenicuroides	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor. Very similar to the formerly conspecific isabelline shrike, albeit darker in colour
Isabelline shrike	Lanius isabellinus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor, recognised for its soft ruddy shade
Bay-backed shrike	Lanius vitattus	A	Least concern		Vagrant; possibly from the nearby UAE
Long-tailed shrike	Lanius schach	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Great gray shrike	Lanius excubitor • Lanius excubitor ssp. aucheri (Arabian grey shrike) • Lanius excubitor ssp. pallidirostris (Steppe grey shrike)	N	Least concern		The largest and most powerful shrike, the great grey shrike has 2 common subspecies in Qatar. The Arabian grey shrike may be observed year-round, while the steppe grey shrike is less common, being a passage migrant from Asia. The nominate subspecies has been recorded as a vagrant in the country.
Lesser gray shrike	Lanius minor	N	Least concern		Uncommon passage migrant and autumn visitor. Has a larger "mask" than the similarly coloured great grey shrike.
Masked shrike	Lanius nubicus	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor
Woodchat shrike	Lanius senator	N	Least concern		Passage migrant and winter visitor

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
House crow	Corvus splendens	I	Least concern		Coloniser
Brown-necked raven	Corvus rufficolis	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Penduline-tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian penduline-tit	Remiz pendulinus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Greater hoopoe-lark	Alaemon alaudipes	N	Least concern		Resident
Bar-tailed lark	Ammomanes cincturus	N	Least concern		resident breeder
Desert lark	Ammomanes deserti	N	Least concern		Resident
Black-crowned sparrow lark	Eremopterix nigriceps	N	Least concern		Resident
Horned lark	Eremophila alpestris	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Greater short-toed lark	Calandrella brachydactyla	N	Least concern	?	Winter visitor
Lesser short-toed lark	Alaudala rufescens	N	Least concern		A defunct taxon, historically included in recent lists. It has been divided into two taxa, the Mediterranean and Turkestan larks. It is believed the latter inhabits Qatar.
Bimaculated lark	Melanocorypha bimaculata	R	Least concern		rare winter visitor
Calandra lark	Melanocorypha calandra	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Arabian lark	Eremalauda eremodites	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Turkestan short-toed lark	Eremalauda eremodites	N	Not recognised by the IUCN		Uncommon in the country, this species is more likely to be encountered in open deserts. A new derivative, this species was considered conspecific with the lesser short-toed lark until 2020.
Woodlark	Lullula arborea	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eurasian skylark	Alauda arvensis	R	Least concern		scarce winter visitor
Crested lark	Galerdia cristata	N	Least concern		Breeding resident

Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Frequency	Image
Graceful prinia	Prinia gracilis	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Delicate prinia	Prinia lepida	A	Not recognised by the IUCN	?	Taxonomy disputed; it is considered part of the graceful prinia species complex by several authorities

Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Syke's warbler	Iduna rama	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eastern olivaceous warbler	Iduna pallida	N	Least concern		scarce passage migrant
Upcher's warbler	Hippolais languida	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Icterine warbler	Hippolais icterina	N	Least concern		Vagrant
Moustached warbler	Acrocephalus melanopogon	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Sedge warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus	N	Least concern		Rare passage migrant
Paddyfield warbler	Acrocephalus agricola	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Marsh warbler	Acrocephalus palustris	R	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Eurasian reed warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	N	Least concern		Uncommon
Basra reed warbler	Eremalauda eremodites	R	Endangered		Vagrant recorded in the country in 2017.
Great reed warbler	Acrocephalus arundinaceus	N	Least concern		Uncommon winter visitor
Clamorous reed warbler	Acrocephalus stentoreus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor

Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Savi's warbler	Locustella luscinioides	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Common grasshopper-warbler	Locustella naevia	A	Least concern		Rare passage migrant.

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Bank swallow	R. riparia	N	Least concern		Common in both late summer and winter
Eurasian crag-martin	Ptyonoprogne rupestris	R	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Pale crag-martin	Ptyonoprogne fuligula	R	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Barn swallow	Hirundo rustica	N	Least concern		A frequent and abundant passage migrant
Wire-tailed swallow	Hirundo smithii	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded in 2023
Red-rumped swallow	Cecropis daurica	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Common house-martin	Delichon urbicum	N	Least concern		uncommon

Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Red-vented bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	I	Least concern		Resident in parks and specific urban areas.
White-eared bulbul	Pycnonotus leucotis	I	Least concern		Found nationwide

Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Wood warbler	Phylloscopus sibilatrix	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Yellow-browed warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Hume's warbler	Phylloscopus humei	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Plain leaf warbler	Phylloscopus neglectus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Williw warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus	N	Least concern		Common in spring and autumn
Common chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita	N	Least concern		Alike the willow warbler, but more common in the winter.

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Eurasian blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	N	Least concern		Passage migrant
Garden warbler	Sylvia borin	A	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Asian desert warbler	Curruca nana	N	Least concern		A common winter visitor, this small round bird is recognised by its grey body, ruddy tail and yellow eyes. This bird has a special relationship with the desert wheatear, and follows it if alerted by a predator.
Barred warbler	Curruca nisoria	N	Least concern		Uncommon passage migrant
Lesser whitethroat	C. curruca	N	Least concern		Common during spring migration and winter
Eastern Orphean warbler	Curruca crassirostris	N	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Menetries's warbler	Curruca mystacea	N	Least concern		passage migrant
Greater whitethroat	Curruca communis	N	Least concern		common migrant

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
European starling	Sturnus vulgaris	N	Least concern		Migratory; winter visitor
Rosy starling	Pastor roseus	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Common myna	Acridotheres tristis	I	Least concern		Introduced and established; extremely common throughout the country

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Song thrush	Turdus philomelos	N	Least concern		Overwintering
Redwing	Turdus iliacus	A	Near threatened		First record in late 2023
Eurasian blackbird	Turdus merula	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Ring ouzel	Turdus torquatus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Black-throated thrush	Turdus atrogularis	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Red-throated thrush	Turdus ruficollis	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Dusky thrush	Turdus eunomus	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
White's thrush	Zoothera aurea	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded in 2022

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global Status	Trend	Notes	Image
Black scrub-robin	Cercotrichas podobe	R	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Spotted flycatcher	Muscicapa striata	N	Least concern		Common passage migrant in spring and winter.
Rufous-tailed scrub-robin	Cercotrichas galactotes	N	Least concern		Overwintering
European robin	Erithacus rubecula	A	Least concern		Vagrant
White-throated robin	Irania gutturalis	N	Least concern		Spring visitor
Thrush nightingale	Luscinia luscinia	R	Least concern		Rare passage migrant
Common nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	N	Least concern		Common in winter
Red-breasted flycatcher	Ficedula parva	N	Least concern		This uncommon bird is mostly seen in autumn
Semi-collared flycatcher	Ficedula semitorquata	R	Least concern		Rare passage migrant
Rufous-backed redstart	Phoenicurus erythronotus	R	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Common redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	N	Least concern		Spring visitor
Black redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros	N	Least concern		passage migrant
Blue rock thrush	Monticola solitarus	N	Least concern		Common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor
Common rock thrush	Monticola saxtalis	N	Least concern		Common passage migrant
Whinchat	Saxicola ruberta	N	Least concern		occasional passage migrant.
European stonechat	Saxicola rubicola	N	Recognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat by the IUCN. Thus, no status exists for this species		This bird visits in winter and is a passage migrant. Sexual dimorphism is present as the male has a bright red breast. The bird's habit of perching high on posts make it easily spotted
Siberian stonechat	Saxicola maurus	N	Recognised as a subspecies of the common stonechat by the IUCN. Thus, no status exists for this species		The Siberian stonechat is practically identical to the European stonechat, and is in fact still considered conspecific by several taxonomic authorities. The only noticeable differences to an observer is its white colouration which is more prevalent as well as the colour of its underparts being reduced
Pied bushchat	Saxicola caprata	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Northern wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	N	Least concern		Common passage migrant
Isabelline wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina	N	Least concern		Very Common throughout winter and spring
Hooded wheatear	Oenanthe monacha	R	Least concern		Rare winter visitor
Desert wheatear	Oenanthe deserti	N	Least concern		winter visitor
Pied wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Pied wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka	N	Least concern		Common visitor
Variable wheatear	Oenanthe picata	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Hume's wheatear	Oenanthe albonigra	A	Least concern		Vagrant
White-crowned wheatear	Oenanthe albonigra	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Finsch's wheatear	Oenanthe finschii	R	Least concern		Rare winter visitor.
Mourning wheatear	Oenanthe lugens	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Kurdish wheatear	Oenanthe xanthoprymna	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Persian wheatear	Oenanthe chrysopygia	N	Least concern		common winter visitor

Hypocolius

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hypocoliidae

The hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird with the shape and soft plumage of a waxwing. They are mainly a uniform grey colour except the males have a black triangular mask around their eyes.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Hypocolius	Hypocolius ampelinus	N	Least concern	?	Uncommon Winter visitor

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Purple sunbird	Cinnyris asiaticus	A	Least concern		Vagrant recorded in 2020

Weavers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Streaked weaver	Ploceus manyar	I	Least concern		Introduced
Black-breasted weaver	Ploceus benghalensis	I	Least concern		Introduced

Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Red avadavat	Amandava amandava	A	Least concern	?	Vagrant
Indian silverbill	Eudoice malabarica	I	Least concern		Introduced

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
House sparrow	Passer domesticus	N	Least concern		Common
Spanish sparrow	Passer hispaniolensis	N	Least concern		Resident breeder
Yellow-throated sparrow	Gymnoris xanthocollis	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Pale rockfinch	Carpispiza brachydactyla	N	Least concern		Passage migrant

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Gray wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Yellow wagtail	Motacilla flava	N	Least concern		Common passage migrant
Citrine wagtail	Motacilla citreola	A	Least concern		Uncommon
White wagtail	Motacilla alba	N	Least concern		Very common migrant
Richard's pipit	Anthus richardi	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Long-billed pipit	Anthus similis	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Tawny pipit	Anthus campestris	N	Least concern		Common winter visitor
Meadow pipit	Anthus pratensis	N	Near threatened		Uncommon winter visitor
Tree pipit	Anthus trivialis	N	Least concern		Scarce
Red-throated pipit	Anthus cervinus	N	Least concern		Winter visitor
Water pipit	Anthus spinoletta	N	Least concern		Common in winter, this large pipit is easy to identify as it has black legs. It frequents wetlands, as suggested by its name.
American pipit	Anthus rubescens	A	Least concern		Vagrant.

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Common chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Hawfinch	C. coccothraustes	A	Least concern		Vagrant.
Common rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	R	Least concern		rare passage migrant
Trumpeter finch	Bucanetes githagineus	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Desert finch	Rhodospiza obsoleta	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eurasian linnet	Linaria cannabina	A	Least concern		Vagrant
Eurasian siskin	S. spinus	A	Least concern		Vagrant

Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

Common name	Binomial name	Status in the country	Global status	Trend	Notes	Image
Black-headed bunting	Emberiza melanocephala	R	Least concern	?	rare passage migrant
Corn bunting	Emberiza calandra	N	Least concern		Winter visitor and uncommon breeder
Cinereous bunting	Emberiza cineracea	R	Near threatened		Rare passage migrant
Ortolan bunting	Emberiza hortulana	N	Least concern		Pulling up to the table at early winter and early spring, this cheerful bird can be found among other birds in meadows. Its brown patterns may make it look indistinct but the yellow markings on this bird's face will confirm its identification
Cretzschmar's bunting	Emberiza caesia	R	Least concern		Vagrant
Rustic bunting	Emberiza rustica	A	Vulnerable		Vagrant

See also

• List of mammals of Qatar
• List of Lepidoptera of Qatar
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of Birds of Qatar". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: A Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.